It was a time of somber remembrance Thursday afternoon, as community members gathered together to remember those law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in Christian County.
The local Fraternal Order of Police hosts this memorial service each year, joined by representatives from numerous law enforcement agencies, including the Christian County Sheriff’s Department, the Hopkinsville Police Department, Fort Campbell Military Police, and the Christian County Jail.
Since 1893, ten officers with various agencies have died in the line of duty, and on Thursday, their names were remembered with a drum roll, roll call, a Three Volley salute conducted by deputy jailers, the securing of the spray and a proclamation read by Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight and Christian County Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam.
HPD Chief Jason Newby says everyday, men and women get up and put on the uniform, then go out to serve and protect their communities, even in the face of danger.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Maureen Leamy was the keynote speaker and thanked law enforcement for their dedication and service, saying she’s proud to work with them. She says those officers continue to show up, while knowing that this could be the day where something goes wrong and they could make the ultimate sacrifice.
Fort Campbell Police Commander Bradley Fitzpatrick remembered the ten who have fallen, saying they have never been—and never will be—forgotten by their communities.
Those ten officers are Officer R.H. West, Officer Henry Lane, Officer Charles Hord, Deputy Wallace Meyers, Officer Owen Flack, Officer Amos Faulkner, Trooper Joseph Ward, Officer Bob Banker, Specialist James Sakofsky and Officer Phillip Meacham.
Quentin Stone with the FOP closed the service with the prayer that by the time we meet again in 2026 for the next memorial service, no new names will have been added to the marker at the Memorial Park.
